The SEC has 14 members and nine have made their way into a Top 25 poll at some point this season.

Six have been there wire-to-wire (Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia) while two teams have worked their way into the polls with strong starts (Missouri and Auburn) and another has broken into the Top 25, then dropped out again (Ole Miss).

It culminated this week with a record eight teams in the Top 25 (all of the above except Ole Miss).

The question is, which will be the next SEC team not currently ranked that is most likely to join the polls? Let's have some fun with it:

Mississippi coach Hugh Freeze got his team in the Top 25 this year and will have the talent back to do it again in 2014. (AP Photo/Oxford Eagle, Bruce Newman)

1. Ole Miss (3-3): Let's start by making one thing clear: It's not likely that an SEC team not currently ranked will make the Top 25 this year. Ole Miss will certainly have a hard time returning to the polls this year with its three-game losing streak that's likely to go to four this weekend when No. 6 LSU visits.

But the Rebels may return around 16 starters on next year's team, depending on off-season attrition. The number may actually end up being higher, considering that some players are getting starting experience because of the Rebels' numerous injuries, meaning at many spots, they'll have two players with starting experience returning.

Considering that many of those will be part of the Rebels' banner 2013 recruiting class -- defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell were all regarded as the top player at their position in that class -- and it's clear that Ole Miss should have not only experience, but also high-end talent, in its 2014 lineup.

When will they enter the Top 25?: I think Ole Miss, if it finishes the season strong, could enter 2014 as a preseason Top 25 team.

2. Mississippi State (3-3): Dan Mullen is catching heat for not being able to pick up big wins in Starkville, but maybe the Bulldogs are a year away.

With Dak Prescott looking more like a "starting" quarterback -- at least a 50-50 starter -- MSU may return about 16 starters next year. In a year where so many SEC teams will likely be breaking in new starting quarterbacks, the experience Prescott is getting now will be a huge advantage for the Bulldogs.

When will they enter the Top 25?: After a soft early schedule in 2014 -- Southern Miss, UAB and South Alabama -- MSU should be 3-0 heading into an early SEC stretch with LSU, Texas A&M and Auburn.

Considering LSU and A&M will be breaking in new starting quarterbacks, that might be a chance for Mullen (who should survive this season) to get a breakthrough win and possibly get love in the polls.

3. Kentucky (1-5): Don't laugh. While Arkansas, Tennessee and Vanderbilt will suffer significant losses with the departure of this year's senior class, Mark Stoops is on schedule to return somewhere around 16 starters next season.

Beyond that, the Wildcats 2014 recruiting class is ranked No. 16 in the latest ESPN team recruiting rankings. So the talent will upgrade.

When will they enter the Top 25?: Let's face it, it's hard to predict that a program like Kentucky will ever enter the polls. But Stoops and company are positioning themselves to make it possible sooner than later, given that he can mix experience and young talent next year.

4. Tennessee (3-3): Butch Jones has some work to do. The Vols will likely lose their entire offensive line from this year's team (they start four seniors and likely early draft entry Antonio Richardson up front) and six of their defensive front seven.

But Jones is on a roll in recruiting. Tennessee has commitments from 11 of the nation's top 300 players and its recruiting class is ranked No. 3 in the country.

When will they enter the Top 25?: It's a process that will likely take time, but if the Vols hold on to this recruiting class, it could be the foundation of a 2015 team that could get back into the rankings.

5. Arkansas (3-4): Brett Bielema also has work to do. He'll lose 11 senior starters off this year's team and has to go through a process of turning his offensive personnel from Bobby Petrino's hybrid, spread offense to a more true power approach.

It may take a while for it to take effect and the task won't be easy as it appears that Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M aren't going anywhere and Ole Miss and Auburn are on the rise in the SEC West.

When will they enter the Top 25?: Look at this as a long rebuilding process. But with a talented freshman like Alex Collins in Bielema's power running game, and with the right defensive personnel, perhaps the Razorbacks can expedite the process of becoming a power running, defensive-oriented program.

6. Vanderbilt (3-3): You have to feel for James Franklin.

He was a hot coach coming off a 9-4 season at a school that doesn't do 9-4 seasons. He had a senior team coming back.

And then, somehow, it went sideways.

The Commodores could not pull off a season opener against Ole Miss. Then they lost badly to South Carolina and Missouri.

Now, they are looking at a situation where if they don't turn it around this year, it might be a while. Vandy will lose 13 senior starters, including all-everything receiver Jordan Matthews, and there's no telling when or if Franklin can again assemble the same kind of talent in Nashville.

When will they enter the Top 25?: The good news is Franklin has a senior team and if he can rally the troops for the next three games -- Georgia, Texas A&M and Florida -- the Commodores can handle the last third of the schedule and maybe climb back into the polls this year. But performances against South Carolina and Missouri have not been encouraging and if it isn't done this year, it might be a couple of years.